Picture: GREG DOWLING, Katherine Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
RESIDENTS at Katherine’s Stuart Estate were in fear for their homes for hours on Monday afternoon while Katherine fire fighters battled an uncontrolled wildfire.
Due to windy conditions the blaze, which had started at around 1.15pm behind the BP depot on Zimin Drive, quickly travelled towards Stuart Estate residential homes along Mahoney Road and had fire fighters from Bushfires NT, the Katherine Volunteer Fire Brigade and Katherine’s Fire and Rescue Service on their toes until 5.30pm trying to contain the roaring blaze.
Katherine Fire Station Acting Station Officer Steve Ditcham said 14 fire vehicles and 30 fire fighters were at the scene to protect assets.
“Luckily nothing was lost in the fire - even though it came extremely close to some houses - in one case up to the back door,” he said.
A/SO Ditcham said the blaze was a reminder that firebreaks needed to be in and maintained prior to the dry season to avoid property loss.
An area of about 6km2 was burnt during the fire.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.